November 2009: Loose Cannons Switched Gears for Spooktacular’s Hideous Hundred Ride

11/28/2009

Bakersfield – Team Loose Cannon’s geared up on October 24th for the ride of the century, the Cannon Spooktacular Century that is. It’s an extreme mountain-rural bike ride (with a Halloween theme) hosted by the Kern Wheelmen, starting just east of Bakersfield and leading into the Southern Sierras and Sequoia National Forest.

After enjoying the sun rise and few rolling hills on Comanche Drive, 7 Loose Cannons switched gears on to Breckenridge Road, or rather “The Big Climb” (the reason why they call this ride Hideous Hundred). For the next 20 plus miles the grade is about five percent with several sections towards the top with grades of 10 percent and higher.

A shorter climb leads up Caliente-Bodfish Road and eventually down into Walker Basin. After several flat miles, Walker Basin Road slowly ascends towards Twin Oaks, followed by a long gradual descent on Caliente Creek Road into Caliente.

The course then continues on Caliente-Bodfish Road and Bena Road, which features some short climbs followed by a downhill and flat section, before turning into Edison Highway. Comanche Drive eventually leads back to the starting point.

This will be the second year Cannon has supported the Kern Wheelmen Bicycle Club’s Spooktacular Century.